How to See Every User Account on Windows 11

Windows 11 manages user identities differently compared to its predecessors, blending local security with cloud-integrated Microsoft accounts. Whether you are troubleshooting permissions, auditing system security, or simply managing a family PC, knowing how to verify every account on your system is essential.

You can check users on Windows 11 through the Settings app for a basic overview, the Command Prompt for a quick text list, or PowerShell for detailed metadata. For users on Windows 11 Pro, the Local Users and Groups manager offers the most comprehensive administrative view.

Using the Settings App for a Standard Overview

The Settings application is the primary interface for most users. It provides a clean, visual way to see who has permission to log into the device, though it primarily focuses on active human users rather than system-level service accounts.

Checking Other Users and Family Members

1. Press the Windows Key + I simultaneously to open the Settings menu.
2. On the left-hand sidebar, click on Accounts.
3. Scroll down to the "Account settings" section and select Other users.
4. On this screen, Windows 11 lists all the secondary accounts currently configured on the machine. If you have set up a Microsoft Family group, those accounts may appear under a separate Family tab within the same Accounts section.

Understanding the Limitations of Settings

While the Settings app is intuitive, it hides several types of accounts. It generally will not show:

• The built-in Administrator account (which is disabled by default).
• The Guest account.
• Service accounts used by Windows to run background processes.
• Accounts that have been disabled but not deleted.

Retrieving a Quick List via Command Prompt

For speed and efficiency, the Command Prompt (CMD) remains one of the best tools for system administrators and power users. It bypasses the graphical overhead of the Settings app and provides a definitive list of local identities.

The net user Command

The net user command is a legacy tool that works perfectly in Windows 11 to list all local accounts.

1. Press the Windows Key, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. In the black console window, type the following command and hit Enter: net user
3. The system will generate a column-based list of every user account recognized by the local security database.

Viewing Specific User Details

If you see an account name and want to know more about it—such as when the password was last changed or if the account is currently active—you can extend the command: net user [username] (Replace [username] with the actual name from the list)

Pro Tip: If your Windows 11 machine is linked to a Microsoft Account, the username shown in the Command Prompt is often truncated to the first five letters of your email address. This is normal behavior for how Windows maps cloud identities to local folder structures.

Using PowerShell for Detailed Account Metadata

Windows PowerShell (and the newer Windows Terminal) offers a more robust way to query user data. Unlike the basic Command Prompt, PowerShell can return objects that include specific statuses, such as whether an account is enabled or locked out.

The Get-LocalUser Command

To see a detailed table of users:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter: Get-LocalUser
3. PowerShell will display a table containing the Name, Enabled status, and Description.

Identifying Hidden Accounts with PowerShell

The Get-LocalUser command is particularly useful because it reveals accounts that the Settings app hides. For instance, you will likely see:

• Administrator: The built-in account for system recovery.
• Guest: An account for temporary access, usually disabled.
• DefaultAccount: A system-managed account.
• WDAGUtilityAccount: Used by Windows Defender Application Guard.

If the "Enabled" column says False, the account exists on the disk but cannot be used to log in at the sign-in screen.

Accessing Local Users and Groups in Windows 11 Pro

If you are running Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you have access to the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in known as lusrmgr.msc. This is the professional standard for managing users.

How to Open Local Users and Groups

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type lusrmgr.msc and click OK.
3. In the window that opens, click the Users folder in the left pane.

This view provides the most detailed information, including:

• Full Name: The display name used on the login screen.
• Description: Often contains clues about why the account was created (e.g., "Built-in account for administering the computer").
• Icons: Accounts with a small downward-pointing arrow on their icon are currently disabled.

Note for Home Edition Users: If you try to run this command on Windows 11 Home, you will receive an error message stating that the snap-in is not available for your version of Windows. You should use the PowerShell or CMD methods instead.

The Netplwiz Shortcut for Account Management

Netplwiz is a specialized legacy tool that provides a bridge between the basic Settings app and the advanced Local Users and Groups manager. It is often used to manage automatic login settings, but it is also a great way to see account groupings.

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Type netplwiz and press Enter.
3. The User Accounts dialog will appear.

Under the Users tab, you can see a list of everyone authorized to use the computer, along with the "Group" they belong to (e.g., Administrators, Users, or Guests). This is the fastest way to check if a specific user has administrative privileges without digging through deep settings menus.

How to Check Which Users are Currently Logged In

Sometimes, you don't just want to know who can use the computer, but who is currently using it. In a multi-user environment where people use "Switch User" instead of logging off, multiple sessions can stay active in the background, consuming system resources.

Using Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. If the window is small, click More details at the bottom.
3. Click the Users tab.
4. You will see a list of all accounts currently signed in. If a user is active, it will show their resource usage (CPU, Memory). If they are signed in but their session is disconnected, their name will still appear, but their resource usage will be minimal.

Using the Command Prompt (query user)

If you prefer the command line to see active sessions:

1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.
2. Type query user and press Enter.
3. The output will show the Username, Session Name, ID, State (Active/Disc), and Idle Time.

Verification via File Explorer

Every time a user logs into a Windows 11 machine for the first time, the system creates a unique profile folder. Even if an account was recently deleted, its data folder might remain.

1. Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E).
2. Navigate to C:\Users.
3. Each folder listed here corresponds to a user profile.

While this isn't a list of "active accounts" (since a folder can exist after a user is deleted), it is a vital step for auditing. If you see a folder name that doesn't match your net user list, it indicates a leftover profile that might be taking up significant disk space.

Identifying Account Types: Microsoft vs. Local

When checking users, it is important to distinguish between Local Accounts and Microsoft Accounts.

• Microsoft Accounts: These require an email address and password (or Windows Hello). They sync settings, wallpaper, and browser history across devices. In the Settings > Accounts > Other users section, these will usually display an email address under the name.
• Local Accounts: These exist only on your specific Windows 11 PC. They do not sync and do not require an internet connection to set up. In the lists mentioned above, these will simply show a username without an associated email.

Troubleshooting Missing Users

If you are looking for a user that should be there but isn't, consider these three possibilities:

1. Domain Accounts: If your computer belongs to a workplace or school, the user might not be a "Local" user. They are stored on the organization's server (Active Directory). Use whoami /fqdn in CMD to check your current domain status.
2. Hidden System Accounts: Accounts like "DefaultAccount" are hidden by design to prevent accidental system instability.
3. Registry Discrepancies: In rare cases, a user profile might be corrupted. If you see a user in C:\Users but not in net user, the account's registry entry may have been damaged or removed.

Summary of Methods

Understanding these tools allows you to maintain better control over your Windows 11 environment, ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to your data and system resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I see hidden users in Windows 11?

To see hidden and built-in system accounts, use the PowerShell command Get-LocalUser. This list includes the default Administrator and Guest accounts, even if they are currently disabled and hidden from the login screen.

Why is lusrmgr.msc not working on my PC?

lusrmgr.msc (Local Users and Groups) is a feature exclusive to professional editions of Windows. If you are using Windows 11 Home, Microsoft disables this tool. Use the net user command in Command Prompt as a functional alternative.

Can I see users from other computers on my network?

No, the methods described here only show users configured on your local machine. To see users on a network domain, you would need administrative access to the Domain Controller or specialized network auditing tools.

How do I check if a user is an Administrator?

The fastest way is to run netplwiz. In the window that appears, look at the "Group" column next to the username. If it says "Administrators," that user has full system permissions. Alternatively, in the Settings app under Accounts > Other users, the account type (Administrator or Standard User) is listed directly under the name.

Does checking users require administrative privileges?

You can see a basic list of users in the Settings app as a standard user. However, to see all accounts via PowerShell/CMD or to use lusrmgr.msc, you must be logged into an account with Administrator rights.